2.26.2011

Have you ever wanted to go back in time to, say the 40’s or 50’s? Have you ever thought about the old soda fountains they used to have in corner drugstores? Oh, I have. My grandparents live in a small town in South Carolina, and they have a drugstore there with a soda fountain and they make the best milkshakes you can ever taste there, right in front of you as you sit at the counter… not to mention the hotdogs.

Anyway, I came across a recipe not too long ago that I just had to try, and I’ve been trying to come up with reasons to try it out. I finally got to yesterday as I hosted a bachelorette party at my house.

Chocolate soda. Yes. I know, it sounds … funny. Some may even think it sounds gross. But I assure you, it is not gross. It’s a little different, but it’s still … good.

All you need is some chocolate syrup, some club soda, a fun straw, and if you want – vanilla ice cream! Pour the chocolate syrup in the bottom of the glass (however much you prefer- it’s up to you!), and then pour some of the club soda in. Mix it up and put your ice cream scoops in, stick a straw in it, and enjoy!

Yum!

PS – I wasn’t calling you all jerks! That’s what the people were called who would operate the soda fountains! So bring out that inner Soda Jerk and try something new! You might like it, who knows?

2.08.2011

So last Saturday we had a Ladies’ Breakfast and I was trying to figure out what to make. I called my mom and asked if she had any good ideas (because she is an awesome ‘chef’, actually) and she did have an idea, and a very good one at that. Ambrosia salad. Ever heard of it? Well it’s pretty incredible, and perfect for any sort of breakfast or brunch get together! I gotta say, it was a hit!

Here’s what you need:

1 Large Apple 1 Large Pear 1 Cup Grapes (I used red seedless because it made it look so pretty) 3 Naval Oranges 1 6oz Container of Low-Fat Peach Yogurt

Not pictured – the oranges. Woops.

Here is what you do:

1. Cut your apple and pear into cubes. Bite-sized is good. 2. Give some pieces to your toddler who is undoubtedly at your feet begging {if you happen to have a toddler}

3. Peel your oranges and separate them into sections. 4. Put all the fruit into a pretty bowl – I used a trifle bowl. 5. Mix in the peach yogurt. 6. Enjoy alone or with some good friends or family.

So we all know I love to bake. Recently, though, I decided I wanted to try baking bread, but I wanted to start off small and work my way up. So I was thumbing through one of my cookbooks and came across a recipe for 7Up Bread. I thought it looked pretty simple, seeing as it only has three ingredients. How could I possibly mess up three ingredients? Well, by not baking it thoroughly. But it was still edible and it was still really good! It didn’t last very long (as we had guests over for dinner that night). Here’s how you do it:

3 Cups of Self-Rising Flour

3 Tablespoons of Sugar

1 Can of 7Up.

Mix it all together… it’ll be all frothy like so to begin with.

But then it’ll be something like this. And super sticky. Whoda thunk it?

Form it into a loaf as best you can, ha!

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Or longer. I should have baked mine longer. Do it till you’re comfortable but don’t blame me if it messes up somehow.

I am not a cook.

I do not claim to be Betty Crocker at all. In fact, I never really liked cooking until very recently. I am a 23-year-old wife and stay at home mommy. I'm trying to get myself more into cooking. You should probably proceed with caution if I ever say I made this up. Just so ya know.

You'll probably see more baked goods than cooked goods here. This blog is set up for my personal stash of recipes, and as motivation to get in that kitchen more often!